House Candidate Nominated For Deputy Court Clerk

June 28, 1991|By Peter Hermann | Peter Hermann,Staff writer

Robert P. Duckworth, a Republican candidate for Congress in Maryland's 4th District, was chosen yesterday to be the deputy clerk of Circuit Court, filling a position that has been vacant since January when the old deputy was fired.

While the appointment still must be approved by the State Administrative Office of the Courts, Clerk of Circuit Court Mary M. Rose said she hopes Duckworth can start Monday. The position pays $37,923 a year.

Rose, who took over the office Dec. 3 by upsetting incumbent H. Erle Schafer in November, said she had advertised and sought out people to fill the position, which includes overseeing a $3.5 million budget and 89 courthouse employees.

"He really wanted this job," Rose said. "He felt that with the amount of public outreach this office has, this would be the best way to serve the people of Anne Arundel County. People underestimate the position. This position touches more members of the public then any other office."

Rose came under fire in January when she told Carroll L. "Bunky" George II, the chief deputy clerk under Schafer, to resign or be fired. She also gave notice totwo assistants, citing concerns about competence, attendance and trustworthiness.

Duckworth said that he would be carrying out Rose's mission in the courthouse and doesn't anticipate any problems.

"Rose knew about my experience as a public servant and wanted me to workwith her in making the courthouse effective," he said.

In January, Duckworth announced his second bid for the House seat held by Representative Tom McMillen, now in his third term.

McMillen beat Duckworth in last November's election by a margin of 59 percent to 41 percent. It was Duckworth's first crack at a political office, and he wasoutspent, $340,000 to $42,000. He said in January that he hopes to raise $200,000 for next year's election.

Rose said she was attracted to Duckworth because of his experience as a federal worker. He spent 20 years working as an urban planner for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.